So another year rolls on by, another #PinotSmackDown rolls with it. What better way to celebrate the 3rd social media Pinot event than with a bottle of Pinot Noir from one of New Zealand’s favourite wine regions. Although it doesn’t have the kudos of Martinborough and Central Otago, nor the regional brand name of Marlborough,
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Ten Minutes By Tractor 2008 Pinot Noir 2008 It’s not very often that you see an Australian Pinot Noir these days, especially here in New Zealand. I’ve been on a Pinot crusade for the last few weeks and thought this would be a great comparison, and benchmark, against all of the Central Otago Pinot Noirs I’ve
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Lil Rippa and Central Schist Pinot Noir 2011 Two very different wines from the same region, and same vintage. The Lil Rippa, with its Pams font and simplistic label, at first glance offers great value at $20, but once tasted it’s easy to see why. The nose offers little in the way of Pinot characteristics.
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Amisfield Wines and Winery A short drive from Queenstown airport, beautifully presented restaurant. The focus here really is on food and not the wine. The service is surly and sharp, not the ‘she’ll be right’ attitude of the rest of Central Otago, which really is the kiwi way. The food is delicious, but the wine
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Terrace Heights Estate ‘THE’ Pinot Gris 2011 Marlborough I’ve a love of wine from from Marlborough, the region that everyone loves to hate. I especially love their Pinot Noir. It seems that right now there’s not a grape variety that doesn’t do well in Marlborough. Marlborough, or New Zealand in general, has suffered trying to
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